Do you feel like your prayers are not heard? Prayer has often been described simply as communicating with God. How many of us talk to God daily? If we did not speak to our spouse daily, how much would we know about her/him? Dr William Powell Tuck brings not only years of studying the Scripture but perhaps more importantly his own prayer experience and his time as a pastor, counseling and teaching others. "I have often been embarrassed to admit that praying has not come so easily or naturally to me," he confesses in this book. This frank and open attitude gives us all a renewed hope, makes us eager to see what Dr Tuck has to say about prayer, and try his suggestions.

Passing our faith from generation to generation is difficult. It has been this way from the time that Cain killed his brother, through Israel's call for a king because Samuel's sons were not like him, up to the present day when children reject their parents' faith. Prolific author (37 books and counting ) William Powell Tuck wants to "tell to the next generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, his might, and the wonderful things he has done" (Psalm 78:4). In this book, he does so by answering serious questions from his grandchildren, many of whom are college age. He's not afraid to address the controversial questions with them, including current issues of politics, climate change, and human sexuality. But all of these questions are addressed from a foundation of informed Christian faith, honed through years of preaching, teaching and writing. At the same time, he addresses questions from the younger grandchildren in simpler terms. With an accessible, question and answer layout, the reader can find direction in addressing these topics during their own family discussions, or in teaching them in small groups, Sunday School, or even from the pulpit. Every generation can benefit from this book, but those who teach will find it especially helpful. Shouldn't that be every Christian?

The doctrine of the trinity is probably the most complex and mysterious topic in Christian theology, yet it impacts our understanding of many other doctrines. Pastor/Theologian Robert D. Cornwall brings his knowledge of church history to the task of examining this doctrine, looking at how it developed and what justifies its presence in Christian theology. He uses the history of his own Disciples of Christ tradition as one of the expressions of the Stone-Campbell movement, which avoids creeds very effectively in examining how we distinguish between the statements and events of scripture and our theological reflections on them. Can a doctrine not mentioned in scripture be of value? Are creeds necessary or even useful? Cornwall threads a careful course between the value of the creeds, and within them the doctrine of the trinity, in defining our ecumenical relationships and task on the one and, and on the other the danger of having creeds as a test of fellowship and faith. While rooted in his own denomination's traditions, this is very valuable to other denominations and movements as we examine what defines us while at the same time seeking freedom in non-essentials. This book is especially strong in examining the history of the development of this doctrine and connecting this to our ongoing reflection on scripture and what our tradition and experience provides. This short volume is valuable to all those who seek to understand the trinity not just as an element in a doctrinal system, but as it aids us in thinking about elements of our faith.

When called on to preach, whether you are a pastor or lay preacher, do you sometimes find yourself blocked? "Writer's block is a common complaint from many authors. They reach a point sometimes when they simply cannot produce anything worth reading. Preachers often encounter this same kind of roadblock when they attempt to prepare sermons."- William Powell Tuck With this opening sentence, Dr Tuck brings his many years of experience as professor and pastor and freely gives some "nuts and bolts" of sermon preparation and "pots and pans" essential for effective preaching. This book is not about the philosophy or theology of preaching but about preparing for, writing, and preaching a sermon. While the reader may quickly find a solution to this week's sermon, Dr. Tuck also gives ideas and plans for long-term preparation to open a new pathway, moving sermons from a burden to a blessing for the writer as well as the intended listener. Anyone called to preach can benefit from reading this book.

Discussions of Jesus’ words and actions as he went to the cross are fairly common. What about the other players? How do their reactions connect to the critical, final action of Jesus? Dr. William Powell Tuck, who has previously written about the centrality of the cross in Christian faith (The Church Under the Cross), and the last words of Jesus (The Last Words from the Cross), takes a look at the reaction of others who were involved, leading up to the final cry of Jesus, “It is finished!” In doing so, Dr. Tuck leads us to questions of how we respond to Jesus personally, and especially to the meaning of this central event of Christianity. It is easy for us to think about the resurrection and to speak of the joy, strength, and triumph that it portrays. But we lose the depth and breadth of the resurrection when we fail to look at these scenes from the journey Jesus took to the cross itself. Our response to strength, glory, and triumph is less a demonstration of who we are than our response to trials and apparent tragedy. In this book you will learn to look at different perspectives on that difficult time, as people react to events they do not understand. How can we learn to respond better to the situations that our lives present to us? This book is suitable for individual reading, and would also make an excellent study for a small group. While it would be particularly valuable as a Lenten study, mediation on the cross is valuable at any time of the year.

Many negative voices predict the demise of the church, or even claiming it has already happened. Is this negative assessment accurate? Is there hope for the church? William Powell Tuck believes that there is. Drawing from a lifetime of experience as a pastor, honed by research, teaching at the seminary level, and writing, he provides a roadmap for the church to be both faithful and to speak clearly in the 21st century. The presentation is rooted in scripture, theologically informed, and fully aware of the reality that churches face today. This is not your dry text on ecclesiology. While it could serve as a text for a seminary class, the class would be a practical class about how to reform the church and reach out to a world in need. This book is an exceptional resource for pastors, but it would also provide an excellent basis for a churchwide study, helping a congregation to extend their witness.

Even when it comes to our faith, voices seem to come from many directions, urging us to follow them. How do we decide what is real and what is false? Christian voices are mixed with fundamental certainty to agnostic Christianity, biblical literalism and inerrancy to prosperity gospel, the only true church to come as you are and leave as you came invitations, narrow-minded beliefs to anything goes philosophy, or an eternal quest for the truth with an openness to a growing faith. - William P. Tuck Prolific writer, William P. Tuck, brings his insight from years as pastor and mentor. He pulls no punches and seems to look the leader right in eye with his candor and desire to bring each person closer to the real deal, Jesus Christ. This book is a comprehensive presentation of how to live the Christian life faithfully with an effective witness to the world around us. How God speaks, the temptations that distract us, praying, hearing God answer in various ways, are all part of Tuck's sharing. Jesus called us to be Light and Salt. What voice will you follow to be Jesus' Light?